Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Veteran-led disaster response organization Team Rubicon has partnered with Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) based in Charlotte, North Carolina to develop an innovative medical deployment program to support its humanitarian operations. One of the nation's leading healthcare organizations, CHS is comprised of more than 60,000 employees, a vast network of healthcare facilities and extensive disaster medicine capabilities. Through this partnership, CHS will:

expand Team Rubicon’s capacity to deliver medical services post-disaster both in domestic and international operations

incorporate support for Team Rubicon into CHS’s Disaster Medicine Fellowship program

extend logistics support including the procurement of lifesaving medicines and supplies for disaster response

As part of the partnership, Team Rubicon has appointed David Callaway, MD as volunteer Medical Director. Dr. Callaway is tasked with providing strategy and oversight of the nonprofit’s emergency medical response activities worldwide.

“I am excited to help lead the team at Carolinas HealthCare System to bring the clinical, academic and operational resources of one of the nation's leading, public, not-for-profit healthcare systems to support one of the most innovative disaster response organizations, Team Rubicon,” said Dr. Callaway. “Our shared ethos of service above self makes this partnership a natural fit.”

A Navy veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Dr. Callaway brings a deep base of knowledge and experience as Director of the Division of Operational and Disaster Medicine for CHS. He also serves as Medical Director of Carolinas MED-1, a mobile emergency room which was first deployed following Hurricane Katrina and will serve as a resource to Team Rubicon in future disaster response operations.

About Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. The disaster relief organization offers veterans the opportunity to continue their service by helping those affected by disasters while regaining a sense of purpose, community and identity. For more about Team Rubicon, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org. Also see us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

About Carolinas HealthCare System

Carolinas HealthCare System (carolinashealthcare.org), one of the nation’s leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout North and South Carolina. Its diverse network of care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Carolinas HealthCare System works to enhance the overall health and wellbeing of its communities through high quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives.